Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Leviticus 24:1–25:46; Mark 10:13-31; Psalm 44:9-26; and Proverbs 10:20-21. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Leviticus 24-25:46 (Contemporary English Version)
Leviticus 24
Caring for the Lamps
(Exodus 27.20,21)
1The LORD told Moses 2to say to the community of Israel: You must supply the purest olive oil for the lamps in the sacred tent, so they will keep burning. 3-4Aaron will set up the gold lampstand in the holy place of the sacred tent. Then he will light the seven lamps that must be kept burning there in my presence, every night from now on. This law will never change.
The Sacred Bread
The LORD said:
5Use your finest flour to bake twelve loaves of bread about four pounds each, 6then take them into the sacred tent and lay them on the gold table in two rows of six loaves. 7Alongside each row put some pure incense that will be sent up by fire in place of the bread as an offering to me. 8Aaron must lay fresh loaves on the table each Sabbath, and priests in all generations must continue this practice as part of Israel's agreement with me. 9This bread will always belong to Aaron and his family; it is very holy because it was offered to me, and it must be eaten in a holy place. a<="" value="[a]" >[]
Punishment for Cursing the LORD
10-11Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri from the tribe of Dan, had married an Egyptian, and they had a son. One day their son got into a fight with an Israelite man in camp and cursed the name of the LORD. So the young man was dragged off to Moses, 12who had him guarded while everyone waited for the LORD to tell them what to do. 13Finally, the LORD said to Moses:
14This man has cursed me! Take him outside the camp and have the witnesses lay their hands on his head. Then command the whole community of Israel to stone him to death. 15-16And warn the others that everyone else who curses me will die in the same way, whether they are Israelites by birth or foreigners living among you.
17Death is also the penalty for murder, 18but the killing of an animal that belongs to someone else requires only that the animal be replaced. 19Personal injuries to others must be dealt with in keeping with the crime-- 20a broken bone for a broken bone, an eye for an eye, or a tooth for a tooth. 21It's possible to pay the owner for an animal that has been killed, but death is the penalty for murder. 22I am the LORD your God, and I demand equal justice both for you Israelites and for those foreigners who live among you.
23When Moses finished speaking, the people did what the LORD had told Moses, and they stoned to death the man who had cursed the LORD.
14This man has cursed me! Take him outside the camp and have the witnesses lay their hands on his head. Then command the whole community of Israel to stone him to death. 15-16And warn the others that everyone else who curses me will die in the same way, whether they are Israelites by birth or foreigners living among you.
17Death is also the penalty for murder, 18but the killing of an animal that belongs to someone else requires only that the animal be replaced. 19Personal injuries to others must be dealt with in keeping with the crime-- 20a broken bone for a broken bone, an eye for an eye, or a tooth for a tooth. 21It's possible to pay the owner for an animal that has been killed, but death is the penalty for murder. 22I am the LORD your God, and I demand equal justice both for you Israelites and for those foreigners who live among you.
23When Moses finished speaking, the people did what the LORD had told Moses, and they stoned to death the man who had cursed the LORD.
Leviticus 25
The Seventh Year
(Deuteronomy 15.1-11)
1When Moses was on Mount Sinai, the LORD told him 2to say to the community of Israel: After you enter the land that I am giving you, it must be allowed to rest one year out of every seven. 3You may raise grain and grapes for six years, 4but the seventh year you must let your fields and vineyards rest in honor of me, your LORD. 5This is to be a time of complete rest for your fields and vineyards, so don't harvest anything they produce. 6-7However, you and your slaves and your hired workers, as well as any domestic or wild animals, may eat whatever grows on its own.
The Year of Celebration
The LORD said to his people:
8Once every forty-nine years 9on the tenth day of the seventh month, [b<="">] which is also the Great Day of Forgiveness, [c<="">] trumpets are to be blown everywhere in the land. 10This fiftieth year [d<="">] is sacred--it is a time of freedom and of celebration when everyone will receive back their original property, and slaves will return home to their families. 11This is a year of complete celebration, so don't plant any seed or harvest what your fields or vineyards produce. 12In this time of sacred celebration you may eat only what grows on its own. 13During this year, all property must go back to its original owner. 14-15So when you buy or sell farmland, the price is to be determined by the number of crops it can produce before the next Year of Celebration. Don't try to cheat. 16If it is a long time before the next Year of Celebration, the price will be higher, because what is really being sold are the crops that the land can produce. 17I am the LORD your God, so obey me and don't cheat anyone. 18-19If you obey my laws and teachings, you will live safely in the land and enjoy its abundant crops. 20Don't ever worry about what you will eat during the seventh year when you are forbidden to plant or harvest. 21I will see to it that you harvest enough in the sixth year to last for three years. 22In the eighth year you will live on what you harvested in the sixth year, but in the ninth year you will eat what you plant and harvest in the eighth year.
23No land may be permanently bought or sold. It all belongs to me--it isn't your land, and you only live there for a little while.
24When property is being sold, the original owner must be given the first chance to buy it.
25If any of you Israelites become so poor that you are forced to sell your property, your closest relative must buy it back, 26if that relative has the money. Later, if you can afford to buy it, 27you must pay enough to make up for what the present owner will lose on it before the next Year of Celebration, when the property would become yours again. 28But if you don't have the money to pay the present owner a fair price, you will have to wait until the Year of Celebration, when the property will once again become yours.
29If you sell a house in a walled city, you have only one year in which to buy it back. 30If you don't buy it back before that year is up, it becomes the permanent property of the one who bought it, and it will not be returned to you in the Year of Celebration. 31But a house out in a village may be bought back at any time just like a field. And it must be returned to its original owner in the Year of Celebration. 32If any Levites own houses inside a walled city, they will always have the right to buy them back. 33And any houses that they do not buy back will be returned to them in the Year of Celebration, because these homes are their permanent property among the people of Israel. 34No pastureland owned by the Levi tribe can ever be sold; it is their permanent possession.
23No land may be permanently bought or sold. It all belongs to me--it isn't your land, and you only live there for a little while.
24When property is being sold, the original owner must be given the first chance to buy it.
25If any of you Israelites become so poor that you are forced to sell your property, your closest relative must buy it back, 26if that relative has the money. Later, if you can afford to buy it, 27you must pay enough to make up for what the present owner will lose on it before the next Year of Celebration, when the property would become yours again. 28But if you don't have the money to pay the present owner a fair price, you will have to wait until the Year of Celebration, when the property will once again become yours.
29If you sell a house in a walled city, you have only one year in which to buy it back. 30If you don't buy it back before that year is up, it becomes the permanent property of the one who bought it, and it will not be returned to you in the Year of Celebration. 31But a house out in a village may be bought back at any time just like a field. And it must be returned to its original owner in the Year of Celebration. 32If any Levites own houses inside a walled city, they will always have the right to buy them back. 33And any houses that they do not buy back will be returned to them in the Year of Celebration, because these homes are their permanent property among the people of Israel. 34No pastureland owned by the Levi tribe can ever be sold; it is their permanent possession.
Help for the Poor
The LORD said:
35If any of your people become poor and unable to support themselves, you must help them, just as you are supposed to help foreigners who live among you. 36-37Don't take advantage of them by charging any kind of interest or selling them food for profit. Instead, honor me by letting them stay where they now live. 38Remember--I am the LORD your God! I rescued you from Egypt and gave you the land of Canaan, so that I would be your God. 39Suppose some of your people become so poor that they have to sell themselves and become your slaves. 40Then you must treat them as servants, rather than as slaves. And in the Year of Celebration they are to be set free, 41so they and their children may return home to their families and property. 42I brought them out of Egypt to be my servants, not to be sold as slaves. 43So obey me, and don't be cruel to the poor.
44If you want slaves, buy them from other nations 45or from the foreigners who live in your own country, and make them your property. 46You can own them, and even leave them to your children when you die, but do not make slaves of your own people or be cruel to them.
Footnotes:- Leviticus 24:9 holy place: The courtyard of the sacred tent (see 6.16,17).
- Leviticus 25:9 seventh month: See the note at 16.29.
- Leviticus 25:9 Great Day of Forgiveness: See the note at 16.34.
- Leviticus 25:10 fiftieth year: The year following seven periods of seven years.
44If you want slaves, buy them from other nations 45or from the foreigners who live in your own country, and make them your property. 46You can own them, and even leave them to your children when you die, but do not make slaves of your own people or be cruel to them.
Footnotes:
- Leviticus 24:9 holy place: The courtyard of the sacred tent (see 6.16,17).
- Leviticus 25:9 seventh month: See the note at 16.29.
- Leviticus 25:9 Great Day of Forgiveness: See the note at 16.34.
- Leviticus 25:10 fiftieth year: The year following seven periods of seven years.
Mark 10:13-31 (Contemporary English Version)
Jesus Blesses Little Children
(Matthew 19.13-15; Luke 18.15-17)
13Some people brought their children to Jesus so that he could bless them by placing his hands on them. But his disciples told the people to stop bothering him. 14When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, "Let the children come to me! Don't try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God. a<="" value="[a]" >[] 15I promise you that you cannot get into God's kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does." 16Then Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them by placing his hands on them.
A Rich Man
(Matthew 19.16-30; Luke 18.18-30)
17As Jesus was walking down a road, a man ran up to him. He knelt down, and asked, "Good teacher, what can I do to have eternal life?" 18Jesus replied, "Why do you call me good? Only God is good. 19You know the commandments. `Do not murder. Be faithful in marriage. Do not steal. Do not tell lies about others. Do not cheat. Respect your father and mother.' "
20The man answered, "Teacher, I have obeyed all these commandments since I was a young man."
21Jesus looked closely at the man. He liked him and said, "There's one thing you still need to do. Go sell everything you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come with me."
22When the man heard Jesus say this, he went away gloomy and sad because he was very rich.
23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "It's hard for rich people to get into God's kingdom!" 24The disciples were shocked to hear this. So Jesus told them again, "It's terribly hard [b<="">] to get into God's kingdom! 25In fact, it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God's kingdom."
26Jesus' disciples were even more amazed. They asked each other, "How can anyone ever be saved?"
27Jesus looked at them and said, "There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything."
28Peter replied, "Remember, we left everything to be your followers!"
29Jesus told him:
You can be sure that anyone who gives up home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or land for me and for the good news 30will be rewarded. In this world they will be given a hundred times as many houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and pieces of land, though they will also be mistreated. And in the world to come, they will have eternal life. 31But many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first.
Footnotes:- Mark 10:14 People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God: Or "The kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these little children."
- Mark 10:24 hard: Some manuscripts add "for people who trust in their wealth." Others add "for the rich."
20The man answered, "Teacher, I have obeyed all these commandments since I was a young man."
21Jesus looked closely at the man. He liked him and said, "There's one thing you still need to do. Go sell everything you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come with me."
22When the man heard Jesus say this, he went away gloomy and sad because he was very rich.
23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "It's hard for rich people to get into God's kingdom!" 24The disciples were shocked to hear this. So Jesus told them again, "It's terribly hard [b<="">] to get into God's kingdom! 25In fact, it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God's kingdom."
26Jesus' disciples were even more amazed. They asked each other, "How can anyone ever be saved?"
27Jesus looked at them and said, "There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything."
28Peter replied, "Remember, we left everything to be your followers!"
29Jesus told him:
You can be sure that anyone who gives up home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or land for me and for the good news 30will be rewarded. In this world they will be given a hundred times as many houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and pieces of land, though they will also be mistreated. And in the world to come, they will have eternal life. 31But many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first.
Footnotes:
- Mark 10:14 People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God: Or "The kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these little children."
- Mark 10:24 hard: Some manuscripts add "for people who trust in their wealth." Others add "for the rich."
Psalm 44:9-26 (Contemporary English Version)
9But now you have rejected us;
you don't lead us into battle,
and we look foolish.
10You made us retreat,
and our enemies have taken
everything we own.
11You let us be slaughtered
like sheep,
and you scattered us
among the nations.
12You sold your people
for little or nothing,
and you earned no profit.
13You made us look foolish
to our neighbors,
and people who live nearby
insult us and sneer.
14Foreigners joke about us
and shake their heads.
15I am embarrassed every day,
and I blush with shame.
16But others mock and sneer,
as they watch my enemies
take revenge on me.
17All of this has happened to us,
though we didn't forget you
or break our agreement.
18We always kept you in mind
and followed your teaching.
19But you crushed us,
and you covered us
with deepest darkness
where wild animals live.
20We did not forget you
or lift our hands in prayer
to foreign gods.
21You would have known it
because you discover
every secret thought.
22We face death all day for you.
We are like sheep on their way
to be slaughtered.
23Wake up! Do something, Lord!
Why are you sleeping?
Don't desert us forever.
24Why do you keep looking away?
Don't forget our sufferings
and all of our troubles.
25We are flat on the ground,
holding on to the dust.
26Do something! Help us!
Show how kind you are
and come to our rescue.
you don't lead us into battle,
and we look foolish.
10You made us retreat,
and our enemies have taken
everything we own.
11You let us be slaughtered
like sheep,
and you scattered us
among the nations.
12You sold your people
for little or nothing,
and you earned no profit.
13You made us look foolish
to our neighbors,
and people who live nearby
insult us and sneer.
14Foreigners joke about us
and shake their heads.
15I am embarrassed every day,
and I blush with shame.
16But others mock and sneer,
as they watch my enemies
take revenge on me.
17All of this has happened to us,
though we didn't forget you
or break our agreement.
18We always kept you in mind
and followed your teaching.
19But you crushed us,
and you covered us
with deepest darkness
where wild animals live.
20We did not forget you
or lift our hands in prayer
to foreign gods.
21You would have known it
because you discover
every secret thought.
22We face death all day for you.
We are like sheep on their way
to be slaughtered.
23Wake up! Do something, Lord!
Why are you sleeping?
Don't desert us forever.
24Why do you keep looking away?
Don't forget our sufferings
and all of our troubles.
25We are flat on the ground,
holding on to the dust.
26Do something! Help us!
Show how kind you are
and come to our rescue.
Proverbs 10:20-21 (Contemporary English Version)
20The words of a good person
are like pure silver,
but the thoughts
of an evil person
are almost worthless.
21Many are helped
by useful instruction,
but fools are killed
by their own stupidity.
are like pure silver,
but the thoughts
of an evil person
are almost worthless.
21Many are helped
by useful instruction,
but fools are killed
by their own stupidity.
Thought for the Day
“In heaven I have only you, and on this earth you are all I want. My body and mind may fail, but you are my strength and my choice forever.” (Psalm 73:25-26 - Contemporary English Version) We're constantly facing our own limitations. Let's face it, our lives, power and wisdom are limited; therefore, we look into the future with uncertainties and fear. But we're not alone. God loves us, and we can find hope in his strength.
Quote for the Day
American writer, literary critic, and scholar best known for his novel Invisible Man, which won the National Book Award in 1953, Ralph Ellison wrote, "Education is all a matter of building bridges."
A Joke for Today
During a dinner party, the hosts' two little children entered the dining room totally nude and walked slowly around the table.
The parents were so embarrassed that they pretended nothing was happening and kept the conversation going. The guests cooperated and also continued as if nothing extraordinary was happening. After going all the way around the room, the children left, and there was a moment of silence at the table, during which one child was heard to say....
"You see, it IS vanishing cream!"
A Prayer Request
As Christians, we can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Below is the need that we're laying before God today.
That children be protected from those who are not seeking their best interest.
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